3 Most Effective Ways to Remove Acne Scars

Acne scars can last for several years, while minor scarring often subsides or disappears eventually. Regardless of the severity, many patients choose to rid their skin of acne scarring by any means possible. Several options provide patients with mediocre results, while only a limited few actually permanently and effectively remove acne scarring. Results generally vary based on the patient’s skin condition. Here are 3 effective ways to remove acne scars:

1. Fractional Resurfacing

Patients often choose fractional resurfacing for fast, effective results. This laser based method provides multiple levels of treatment ranging from basic to highly intensive. Most patients feel that this method provides the highest level of satisfaction, though results vary on a per patient basis.

Fractional resurfacing breaks down the top layers of damaged skin. This process leaves the middle to lower layers of the dermal network exposed, which often causes sensitivity and irritation. Patients associate the after effects with a sun burned look and feel. The patient will naturally heal by growing back a fresh new layer of skin.

Patients with higher levels of acne scarring will require more treatment in comparison to those whose skin contains only a limited amount of mild scarring. One major advantage of fractional resurfacing through laser based treatments includes the hypoallergenic attributes associated with the procedure. Unlike other methods, no chemicals or additives get used, which sometimes cause allergic reactions in some patients.

2. Chemical Peels

This method serves as a less invasive, but sometimes equally powerful treatment in comparison with fractional resurfacing. In fact, chemical peels usually act in the same manner as fractional resurfacing in that outer layers of damaged skin will get broken down, removed and replaced by healthy new skin.

This method utilizes the power of strong chemicals, man-made and natural ingredients. The solutions usually get placed on a patient’s entire face or region of damaged skin, though some patients receive localized treatment on only small problematic areas. Like fractional resurfacing, those with more scarring require more treatment sessions. Some severe scarring will not get treated with the use of only one chemical peel treatment.

3. Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion acts much like fractional resurfacing and chemical peel procedures. However, rather than utilizing the power of chemicals or laser based technology, dermabrasion treatments work by physically breaking down areas of damaged skin.

Dermabrasion works well for treating acne scars for multiple reasons, but mainly because the patient will usually only receive treatment on the areas that contain some form of damage. Most patients will select this method in order to quickly remove scarring, though a recovery phase always occurs after the treatment concludes.

The areas of skin that previously contained scars will need to grow back. Dermabrasion literally wears away damaged regions down to the middle and lower layers of the dermal network. Much like a scratch, patients will grow back healthy new skin over the area of removed tissue.